you're welcome
see the angel hiding underneath my skin. watch her
try to be larger than life, stronger than sin,
louder than the prey animal locked up in her attic.
let her soar above you for a summer, stand
in the shadow she gifts you with,
say thank you.
now coax her a little, dear, let her taste
your blood. see how her pale cheeks turn rosy.
see how her eyes turn human
for a precious half-moment.
show her the scar on your hand, the dimple
on your back, the sugar on your tongue.
show her colours closer to her fingertips, give her
something warm she can hold gently.
name her, and call her by her name, and
call out her name when she is not there, and
watch how she melts into your eyes.
undress her halo, kiss
all the white and gold until it’s red and blue,
tell her it’s the closest thing
to salvation that she can give you.
say thank you.